Episode 17
Now to Next with Nick Nanton Feat. Quan Huynh
Quan Huynh is the post-release program manager for Defy Ventures — a non-profit that provides opportunities to men and women with criminal histories. Host Nick Nanton and Quan talk about his new book, “Sparrow and the Razor Wire,” which begins when Quan received a sentence of 15 years-to-life for killing a man in a gang-related incident. Nick and Quan also discuss how he discovered a new path while being incarcerated that led to self-reflection and the ability to help those that may feel “stuck,” how joining and creating groups that do good in prison made Quan feel the best he ever had, and what he did during his final 150 days behind bars to officially move on.
Timestamps:
- 3:02: Moving from Vietnam to Utah and facing racism
- 4:37: The family then moved to California because of Quan’s father’s leukemia
- 7:57: How to help someone when you aren't quite sure how
- 10:23: Quan began hanging around the wrong crowd
- 14:06: Where Quan was sent after being arrested for attempted murder at 17
- 14:56: The day-to-day happenings in jail
- 16:23: What happened after Quan was released on parole in 1993
- 20:08: There was no one to help transition to life on the outside
- 21:30: Not getting a promotion at Gallup negatively affected Quan
- 23:52: The night Quan committed murder
- 26:59: What gets you to the point of actually shooting someone?
- 27:56: The period of time between the shooting and being arrested
- 29:23: Lying on trial and his subsequent conviction
- 31:33: Life at Pelican Bay
- 34:34: 10 years in — Quan had a moment that made him reexamine his life
- 38:37: How Quan was looked at following his transformation and the parlay racket he passed on
- 42:40: Cell phones in prison?
- 44:39: Getting in front of the parole board
- 50:05: Defy Ventures
Resources:
- Quan's Website
- "Sparrow and the Razor Wire: Finding Freedom from Within While Serving a Life Sentence"
- Defy Ventures
